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This literature review describes physical and behavioral characteristics of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects that impact these children's educational needs. Suggestions and strategies are presented to satisfy these needs, along with examples of programs that are necessary to assure that these individuals will have the best possible quality of life. (Author/JDD)

This literature review points out that the three major respiratory disorders prevalent in school children are asthma, cystic fibrosis, and tuberculosis. The review notes the incidence and medical management of these disorders, briefly describes related disorders, and outlines the implications for educators. (Author/JDD)

An overview of Prader-Willi syndrome, the most common form of dysmorphic genetic obesity associated with mental retardation, is presented, with an emphasis on associated causes, characteristics, diagnosis and counseling, intervention, and long-term consequences. (Author/DB)

The question of whether special education students exhibit more learned helpless behavior and a more external locus of control than regular students is examined. The effects of these psychological conditions on school success are considered, and programs for alleviating learned helplessness and establishing a more internal locus of control are reviewed. (Author/DB)

This article discusses fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) including causes, common characteristics, secondary characteristics, prevention, and treatment. Economic implications are noted which suggest that treatment costs are 100 times the cost of prevention programs. (DB)

Gilles de la Tourette syndrome is a disorder characterized by multiple involuntary motor and verbal tics. This review covers the history, symptoms, diagnostic criteria, past and present treatments, associated disorders, and various educational techniques. (Author/DB)

Background: This paper presents open systems analysis of the organizational dynamics of the US Catholic Church sexual abuse crisis. Most of the current literature on the crisis assigns culpability to various parties involved--in most cases to bishops and Church officials in Rome. This analysis offers a way of understanding events that goes beyond assigning culpability on the part of Church leaders. Material and Discussion: As an open system, a church is a system of interdependent, purposive activities, one that survives and develops through interchanges with its environment including the society of which it is a part. Key elements in this discussion include the dynamics that result from the idiosyncratic church structures and processes, and the apparent preoccupation with sexual matters, all of which are imbedded in a religious belief system and a high dependency culture. Conclusions: The picture is of a church experiencing the catastrophe of thousands of cases accusing priests of sexual abuse of young people, of an institution that has lost its capacity for openness as it is overwhelmed by the heaped-on needs of members from a flood of constituencies. Key elements in this discussion include the description of the Church as an open system, the notions of primary task, sentient group life, a high dependency culture and the unconscious motivation operating in individuals, groups and the total Church enterprise.

Describes a case study illustrating organizational and system contingencies for introducing and maintaining a support group for oncology nursing staff in a large general hospital culture. Criteria for long-run survivability of innovation in a work system are applied to a group structured like that described by Balint for training physicians in interpersonal relations. (Author)

The article presents a study that assesses the predictive validity of the clinical interview under conditions that would reduce error attributable to the sources listed above. Subjects were 15 severely disturbed, hospitalized children. The predictor variable was assessed by three non-ward clinicians utilizing a serial ranking system for post-interview comparison of subjects and the criterion variable was conceptualized in terms of maturity of social interaction and as indicated by frequency of participation in various social groupings. Inter-rater and intra-child consistency resulted. The hypotheses concerning relationships between clinical interview assessment and level of social interaction were supported.